Orlando Bingo Matriarch, 92, Dies After Police Cruiser Ran Red Light; Family Demands Accountability

Milagros Ortiz, 92, died on Jan. 19 after a marked Orlando Police Department cruiser struck the Jeep Patriot in which she was a passenger during the early morning hours of Jan. 18. According to a preliminary crash report obtained by PEOPLE, witness statements and video evidence indicate the police vehicle failed to yield at a red light and struck the Jeep while the Jeep had a green signal.

What Happened

The collision occurred at approximately 1:48 a.m. on S. Semoran Boulevard. The preliminary on-scene report states a witness stopped beside the police vehicle said the cruiser’s emergency lights were on before it entered the intersection and then were turned off as it continued through. The report concludes the police cruiser "was at fault for the collision due to failure to yield right of way." The officer listed as the driver in the report is 28-year-old Officer Andrew McKuhen, who did not respond to requests for comment.

Injuries and Aftermath

Ortiz was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with multiple injuries, including fractured vertebrae and damage to her ribs, torso and liver. She underwent surgery but died at the hospital the following day, on Jan. 19. Her children say the family rushed to her side and spoke with her before the procedure.

Family Reaction

"He needs to know that because of his carelessness, recklessness, negligence, he took someone that still had maybe four or five years of life in her," said daughter Judy Santiago. Daughter Evelyn Alicea added, "She was lively... the life of the party."

Alicea described how she first learned of the crash: she got a call from a stranger telling her her mother had been hurt, and could hear Ortiz in the background complaining of chest pains. "When I got that call and to find out it was a police officer that actually ran a red light, had no lights and sirens, that's what's really struck the hardest," Alicea said. "They're supposed to serve and protect the community."

Ortiz’s Life and Community

Ortiz was well known in her community for attending a weekly Saturday bingo gathering she fondly called "la familia binguera," where 40 to 50 friends would meet to eat and play. Her family describes her as social, spirited, and mentally sharp — she enjoyed music, dancing and jigsaw puzzles and would balance her ledger without a calculator.

Ongoing Investigations

The Orlando Police Department has opened an internal investigation and says a comprehensive traffic homicide investigation is also underway. Investigators continue to review video evidence and witness accounts in addition to the preliminary crash report created at the scene.

Survivors

Ortiz was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy, and by her husband, Antonio Ortiz. She is survived by children including a son who flew from Ohio to be at her bedside, as well as 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and another great-great-grandchild expected soon. Her family says they are seeking accountability from the officer involved and the department as they mourn a beloved matriarch.

What’s Next

As investigators complete their review, the family has publicly urged both accountability and transparency. The police department’s internal and traffic homicide inquiries will determine whether the officer’s actions violated department policy or law.